New coronavirus

Version: 10.3.2020

The coronavirus can pose a serious risk to people over the age of 65 and to those with underlying medical conditions. New sets of recommendations – general and for the workplace – should help to protect these groups. Under this rubric, you will find information on this and the current situation, FAQs and recommendations for travellers.

Information for travellers

www.safetravel.ch
(in German or French)

Current situation in Switzerland

Confirmed in Switzerland

10.3.2020:
The third death was reported in Switzerland; an over 80-year-old woman from the canton of Ticino. The FOPH is in contact with the authorities of the Canton of Ticino.

10.3.2020, 12 pm:
Infections with the new coronavirus have been confirmed: 476 persons

Reports of diseases from: the cantons Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel Land, Basel Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Vaud, Valais, Zug, Zurich and from the Principality of Liechtenstein.

8.3.2020:
Switzerland recorded its second death attributed to the coronavirus; a 76-year-old man from the canton of Basel-Landschaft. The FOPH is in contact with the authorities of the Canton of Basel-Land.

5.3.2020:
Switzerland recorded its first death attributed to the coronavirus; a 74-year-old woman from the canton of Vaud. The FOPH is in contact with the Vaud cantonal authorities.

The top priority for the Swiss Federal Council is the health of the public.

The aim should be to make sure that people are better protected from the novel coronavirus, especially those who are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill. We can all help by following the recommendations (both the new ones and those issued previously):

• Keep your distance – for example: Protect elderly people by keeping adequate distance from them; Keep your distance when queuing or waiting in line; Keep your distance at meetings.
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm.
• If you have a fever and are coughing, stay at home.
• Only go to the doctor or A&E once you have notified them by phone.

You will find detailed information on the “Protect yourself and others” site or at www.foph-coronavirus.

Recommendations for the workplace

The new coronavirus can pose a serious threat to people over the age of 65 and younger people with pre-existing medical conditions. The recommendations for the workplace are aimed at helping to protect these groups.

Federal government measures

In view of the current situation and the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Council has categorised the situation in Switzerland as special in terms of the Epidemics Act. Large-scale events involving more than 1000 people are to be banned. The ban will apply at least until 15 March 2020. The cantonal authorities decide on events with less than 1000 participants. Further information can be found under Federal government measures.

This measure should prevent or delay the spread of the disease in Switzerland, thus reducing its momentum.

No travel restrictions for entry into Switzerland

There are no travel restrictions for entry into Switzerland.

Current situation – International

As of 10 March 2020, 7am:

Cases of new coronavirus infections have been confirmed in China and in more than 100 further countries or regions.

9,172 cases of new coronavirus have been confirmed in Italy. Of those, 463 people are known to have died. For Italy as for all other areas concerned, travellers should inform themselves about the local situation.

Globally over 114,000 people are confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus. 4,026 people are known to have died, 890 outside of mainland China. Totally more than 64,000 people have been recovered again.

In the majority of cases the illness is mild. However, people aged over 65 and those with an existing pre-illnesscould become seriously ill.

Affected areas: why is reference no longer being made to ‘affected areas’?

There is now a risk of becoming infected with new coronavirus in almost all parts of the world. As of 9 March we will therefore no longer be referring to ‘affected areas’.

People at especially high risk and progression of the disease

People aged over 65 and those with one of the following pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Conditions and therapies that weaken the immune system
• Cancer

The way the novel coronavirus disease progresses can vary widely. Some people, for example, have only mild symptoms and hardly notice that they’re ill. Others need intensive care in hospital.

To find out how we can protect ourselves and others from infection, please see the Protect yourself and others site.

Information campaign ‘Protect yourself and others’

We can protect ourselves and others from becoming infected with the new coronavirus by following a number of rules on hygiene and how to behave around others. You can find more information here: Protect yourself and others.

COVID-19

On 11 February 2020 the WHO gave the disease caused by the new coronavirus an official name: COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019.

Origins of the new coronavirus

The coronavirus epidemic in China probably originated at a market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where bats, snakes and other wild animals were traded in addition to fish. The virus was transmitted from animals to humans. Since then the virus has been transmitted from person to person. The Chinese authorities have closed the market.